Proverbs 9
Wisdom and Foolishness are personified as women in Proverbs. Both openly compete for the hearts and minds of mankind. Both call from their house and from the high places of the city.
A house is a place where you go, where she resides. It could be a school, a conference, a church, or any place where you can find her. It is a high place, a prominent place, a public place, a place of government.
Wisdom through, readily available, takes time to get. It’s obtained through persistence and discipline, in short: work.
By contrast the foolish woman promotes the shortcut. She calls the simple, those who lack understanding. They have not taken the time to increase their bank of knowledge nor are practiced in the use of it. They have the idea that “Stolen waters are sweet" for the stolen takes no labor to obtain. “Have it now, why should you wait? Don't wait to spend your labor on it. Besides, the stuff that is stolen and eaten in secret has a thrill which somehow makes it pleasant"
Why would anyone want to eat bread in secret unless you want no one to see you eat it? It must be bead you should not have. You want that pleasantness and will get it even if it is wrong. It's OK if someone else works for it and you take it. The ones who the foolish woman calls are those that want things that they have not earned, do not belong to them, should not have. But the foolish woman foolish woman's ways are the ways of death, her quickness and the easiness and the pleasantness lead to death.
Better the cottage of the Wise Woman than the mansion of the Foolish Woman.
Tuesday, April 23, 2019
Thursday, April 18, 2019
REWARD OF THE FOOLISH WOMAN
Proverbs 9
Wisdom and foolishness are personified as women in the Bible. They both have prepared their houses and both openly compete for mankind. They both call from the gates and the high places of the city.
Could a "house" mean a place where you can go, a sheltered place? where she resides? a school? Could a "high place" or “city gates” mean a prominent place, a public place, a place of government, a place of worship?
Wisdom for most people, through readily available, takes time to acquire, it takes persistence and discipline. In short: it comes by work.
By contrast foolishness, or the foolish woman promotes the shortcut. Verses 13 through 16 explain her well. She calls the simple, those who want (lack) understanding (v16). They have not taken the time to increase their bank of knowledge, nor are practiced in the use of it. There has been too much TV and too little books. The Foolish Woman says, "Stolen waters are sweet" (v17) That which is stolen takes no labor to obtain. She says, "Have it now, why should you wait? You don't want to spend labor on it."
"Bread eaten in secret is pleasant" she says. Why would anyone want to eat bread in secret unless you want none to see you eat it? It must be bread you should not have. Somehow the wrongness of taking it makes it “sweet”. She encourages you to want that pleasantness and to get it even if it is wrong. She makes it seem it's OK if someone else works for it and you take it.
The ones who the foolish woman calls, are those that want things that they have not earned, things that do not belong to them, things they should not have. But the foolish woman's ways are the ways of death. Verse 18 warns, “But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.” The quickness and the easiness and the pleasantness lead to death.
Wisdom and foolishness are personified as women in the Bible. They both have prepared their houses and both openly compete for mankind. They both call from the gates and the high places of the city.
Could a "house" mean a place where you can go, a sheltered place? where she resides? a school? Could a "high place" or “city gates” mean a prominent place, a public place, a place of government, a place of worship?
Wisdom for most people, through readily available, takes time to acquire, it takes persistence and discipline. In short: it comes by work.
By contrast foolishness, or the foolish woman promotes the shortcut. Verses 13 through 16 explain her well. She calls the simple, those who want (lack) understanding (v16). They have not taken the time to increase their bank of knowledge, nor are practiced in the use of it. There has been too much TV and too little books. The Foolish Woman says, "Stolen waters are sweet" (v17) That which is stolen takes no labor to obtain. She says, "Have it now, why should you wait? You don't want to spend labor on it."
"Bread eaten in secret is pleasant" she says. Why would anyone want to eat bread in secret unless you want none to see you eat it? It must be bread you should not have. Somehow the wrongness of taking it makes it “sweet”. She encourages you to want that pleasantness and to get it even if it is wrong. She makes it seem it's OK if someone else works for it and you take it.
The ones who the foolish woman calls, are those that want things that they have not earned, things that do not belong to them, things they should not have. But the foolish woman's ways are the ways of death. Verse 18 warns, “But he knoweth not that the dead are there; and that her guests are in the depths of hell.” The quickness and the easiness and the pleasantness lead to death.
Monday, April 15, 2019
LOVE WRATH ENVY
Proverbs 27:1-6
Open rebuke is better than secret love. It is better to know where you stand, to know how someone feels than to not know it - even if that feeling is against you. However, unexpressed love is as if there was no love at all because there are no words or actions to demonstrate the love. But while there the words that come from a friend are faithful because they are intended for good; the kisses from the enemy are deceitful .because they are intended to disguise ill wishes.
"A stone is heavy, but a fool’s wrath is heavier". It is difficult and bothersome to carry around the oppression that comes from another. Wrath is difficult but envy is more dangerous. Who can stand against it - one can defend against wrath; you cannot defend against envy. Wrath you can answer with evidence and logic. Wrath has been expressed by words and actions. There is no evidence or logic in the expression of envy. It has to do with the inward personal state of the one who envies, rather than anything you did. How can you control what is in the mind of another?
Open rebuke is better than secret love. It is better to know where you stand, to know how someone feels than to not know it - even if that feeling is against you. However, unexpressed love is as if there was no love at all because there are no words or actions to demonstrate the love. But while there the words that come from a friend are faithful because they are intended for good; the kisses from the enemy are deceitful .because they are intended to disguise ill wishes.
"A stone is heavy, but a fool’s wrath is heavier". It is difficult and bothersome to carry around the oppression that comes from another. Wrath is difficult but envy is more dangerous. Who can stand against it - one can defend against wrath; you cannot defend against envy. Wrath you can answer with evidence and logic. Wrath has been expressed by words and actions. There is no evidence or logic in the expression of envy. It has to do with the inward personal state of the one who envies, rather than anything you did. How can you control what is in the mind of another?
Thursday, April 11, 2019
DECEIT FOR DOLLARS
Proverbs 12
The “The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood”. The person that lays in wait is more than just the mugger, he wants profit from the blood. The “profit” might the perverse joy of a bully who wants to dominate another, or it might be the wealth of the victim.
I think abortion providers are this type. They enjoy dominance over other humans’ lives: the Mother and child, but mostly they want the money. The murdering process is framed in euphemistic words and phrases such as “freedom of choice”. Such phrases comfortably insulate them from the eternal consequences of the act. When all is done, the practice provides a lucrative income.
There are also doctors who will recommend operations that are not needed to patients. Some of these patients stand a chance of dying. There is also the contractor that will shortchange safety for the sake of money, or schedule knowing that someone could be hurt. It is the person that takes advantage of refugees. So is one who steals the windows living by poor workmanship or unneeded jobs.
“Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil”
The “The words of the wicked are to lie in wait for blood”. The person that lays in wait is more than just the mugger, he wants profit from the blood. The “profit” might the perverse joy of a bully who wants to dominate another, or it might be the wealth of the victim.
I think abortion providers are this type. They enjoy dominance over other humans’ lives: the Mother and child, but mostly they want the money. The murdering process is framed in euphemistic words and phrases such as “freedom of choice”. Such phrases comfortably insulate them from the eternal consequences of the act. When all is done, the practice provides a lucrative income.
There are also doctors who will recommend operations that are not needed to patients. Some of these patients stand a chance of dying. There is also the contractor that will shortchange safety for the sake of money, or schedule knowing that someone could be hurt. It is the person that takes advantage of refugees. So is one who steals the windows living by poor workmanship or unneeded jobs.
“Deceit is in the heart of them that imagine evil”
Monday, April 8, 2019
OPEN TO CHANGE
Proverbs 9
Wisdom can be easily found for she is “in the gates”, the prominent places of exchange. Wisdom calls to the simple ones, to those who want, or lack, understanding. She has prepared everything for the transfer of wisdom. She has prepared her staff as it were, her space, her food, her drink and table settings. Wisdom calls to the ones who need to hear what she has to say. She invites specifically the ones who need wisdom, the simple ones. She cautions them to avoid foolish people.
We are told that the wise person is one who will be corrected (hear wisdom’s rebuke) and consequently increase in learning. There is never a point in our lives where we no longer must be open to the acquisition of knowledge, to change. The attitude of being ready to learn and to be corrected is a character trait of the wise.
She says that dealing with the scorners and wicked is a waste of time and, in fact, dangerous. We must be careful who we listen to because the foolish woman also calls to the simple. She calls to everyone who will listen and she too is “in the gates”.
Wisdom can be easily found for she is “in the gates”, the prominent places of exchange. Wisdom calls to the simple ones, to those who want, or lack, understanding. She has prepared everything for the transfer of wisdom. She has prepared her staff as it were, her space, her food, her drink and table settings. Wisdom calls to the ones who need to hear what she has to say. She invites specifically the ones who need wisdom, the simple ones. She cautions them to avoid foolish people.
We are told that the wise person is one who will be corrected (hear wisdom’s rebuke) and consequently increase in learning. There is never a point in our lives where we no longer must be open to the acquisition of knowledge, to change. The attitude of being ready to learn and to be corrected is a character trait of the wise.
She says that dealing with the scorners and wicked is a waste of time and, in fact, dangerous. We must be careful who we listen to because the foolish woman also calls to the simple. She calls to everyone who will listen and she too is “in the gates”.
Tuesday, April 2, 2019
HONEY IS GOOD
PROV 25:16 It is good to eat honey, but not too much. You will vomit it if you eat too much. Verse 27: For men to search their own glory is like eating too much honey. It's ok to search (observe, acknowledge, inspect, inquire for) your glory some, but too much will cause you to vomit. Your soul will cast it out because it has become sick. Then that which was pleasant will have become unpleasant, even repulsive, not fit for any further use. Glory has been turned into repulsiveness. By our own wills we can either eat a little, or eat a lot; search a little glory, or search too much. If you find some glory, well, but do not dig and pry for it. Take what is sufficient
Monday, March 25, 2019
THE HEART OF KINGS
(Prov 25:3) The heart of kings is unsearchable.
In our day, when we speak of “kings”, we can substitute the word “leaders”, as in President, Senator, Congressman, County Commissioner, School Superintendent, etc. This verse applies to bad leaders as well as good. It means we should recognize the given authority of leaders (i.e. obey as necessary) without having to know the leader’s inward motivation. Whatever is his motivation we cannot get to it, it is unsearchable.
Is it then a waste of time to wonder why the present leader does the things he does? Is not it more effective to proceed by presenting our just causes, with their rationale, to the leader and his advisers, and pray God to get it to their hearts? Do we actually do that? Do we write letters? Do we make phone calls? Do we respond to surveys?
If we take away all the present leader’s bad advisors will he be established in righteousness? How do we keep the present leader from filling those posts again with other bad advisers? We can pray that God will place righteous advisors. We can pray God that he will show us how we can strip out the bed ones in replace them with good ones. What are those positions? Who is there now and who should be placed there? Does this country deserve a good righteous government, or do we deserve the one we have? We must believe and act on how we can change the heart of the nation. Leader by leader, voter by voter, citizen by citizen.
In our day, when we speak of “kings”, we can substitute the word “leaders”, as in President, Senator, Congressman, County Commissioner, School Superintendent, etc. This verse applies to bad leaders as well as good. It means we should recognize the given authority of leaders (i.e. obey as necessary) without having to know the leader’s inward motivation. Whatever is his motivation we cannot get to it, it is unsearchable.
Is it then a waste of time to wonder why the present leader does the things he does? Is not it more effective to proceed by presenting our just causes, with their rationale, to the leader and his advisers, and pray God to get it to their hearts? Do we actually do that? Do we write letters? Do we make phone calls? Do we respond to surveys?
If we take away all the present leader’s bad advisors will he be established in righteousness? How do we keep the present leader from filling those posts again with other bad advisers? We can pray that God will place righteous advisors. We can pray God that he will show us how we can strip out the bed ones in replace them with good ones. What are those positions? Who is there now and who should be placed there? Does this country deserve a good righteous government, or do we deserve the one we have? We must believe and act on how we can change the heart of the nation. Leader by leader, voter by voter, citizen by citizen.
Thursday, March 21, 2019
LABOR NOT TO BE RICH
Proverbs 23:23: "Buy the truth and sell it not, and instruction and understanding"
How empty it would be to get rich, to get to the top, to have all the “things” -yet - to have lost wives and children, mother and father, friends and family along the way. If you are fabulously rich and have lost all the other, are you really rich? What situation are you in? Are the others that are rich looking to steal from you? Who do you have to pay to protect you? Which is your friend and who just wants your money? Who will take care of you if you get sick if no one cares other than the ones you pay to do it?
Suppose you live in a small house, or a rented house, or a tent. Are you not rich if you have and appreciate wives and children, mother and father, friends and family? If you are “poor” and have these I say you are really rich. What situation are you in? If you are not rich in money and possessions others will look elsewhere to steal rather than stealing from you. The ones who love you and respect you will want to protect you. Your friend just wants you, not your money. The ones you take care of will take care of you if you get sick. They will take care for you even if you are not sick.
The only reason I could know that wisdom, understanding and instruction are better than riches is because God tells me so and that knowledge of itself is of immense value.
How empty it would be to get rich, to get to the top, to have all the “things” -yet - to have lost wives and children, mother and father, friends and family along the way. If you are fabulously rich and have lost all the other, are you really rich? What situation are you in? Are the others that are rich looking to steal from you? Who do you have to pay to protect you? Which is your friend and who just wants your money? Who will take care of you if you get sick if no one cares other than the ones you pay to do it?
Suppose you live in a small house, or a rented house, or a tent. Are you not rich if you have and appreciate wives and children, mother and father, friends and family? If you are “poor” and have these I say you are really rich. What situation are you in? If you are not rich in money and possessions others will look elsewhere to steal rather than stealing from you. The ones who love you and respect you will want to protect you. Your friend just wants you, not your money. The ones you take care of will take care of you if you get sick. They will take care for you even if you are not sick.
The only reason I could know that wisdom, understanding and instruction are better than riches is because God tells me so and that knowledge of itself is of immense value.
Monday, March 18, 2019
COMPULSIVE ISSUES
(PROV 23:35)
The problem with alcoholism – or any compulsive drive – is: "When shall I awake, I shall seek it yet again." The drunkard is not saying, "The purpose in my heart is that I will seek drunkenness again because I like it." (Although he may think that from time to time). He may really be saying, "When I awake from this time of drunkenness, will be ashamed again. I will not want to do it again, but I am afraid that I will, as I have done this time." This is likely true because he knows from experience he has been beaten and laying on "top of masts" (V34) as the Bible says. He has a history of it, he is suffering yet another time of regret.
There are many who have done things they should not have done. Many do not want to do it again. Drunks, who know they are drunks, do not generally want to be drunks. The warning at the front of all this is verse 31: "Look not upon the wine when is red, when it gives his color in the cup, when it moveth itself alright". Do not be in a place where you can look. You must stop at the beginning, before the first look, let alone the first drink, before drinking is even the issue. Or before the first pornographic link on the internet. Or before the first bit of gossip is passed on.
All compulsive issues are related. Stop. Keep to the right path before stepping onto the wrong one and turning back from it is too difficult. It would help when temptation nears to talk to yourself - out loud: “This is a good thing to do, this other thing is harmful for me.” Proverbs 5:8 says, “Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:” Step 1: "remove your way" (don’t take that path) because step 2, being "near the door of her house", makes staying away harder to achieve.
The problem with alcoholism – or any compulsive drive – is: "When shall I awake, I shall seek it yet again." The drunkard is not saying, "The purpose in my heart is that I will seek drunkenness again because I like it." (Although he may think that from time to time). He may really be saying, "When I awake from this time of drunkenness, will be ashamed again. I will not want to do it again, but I am afraid that I will, as I have done this time." This is likely true because he knows from experience he has been beaten and laying on "top of masts" (V34) as the Bible says. He has a history of it, he is suffering yet another time of regret.
There are many who have done things they should not have done. Many do not want to do it again. Drunks, who know they are drunks, do not generally want to be drunks. The warning at the front of all this is verse 31: "Look not upon the wine when is red, when it gives his color in the cup, when it moveth itself alright". Do not be in a place where you can look. You must stop at the beginning, before the first look, let alone the first drink, before drinking is even the issue. Or before the first pornographic link on the internet. Or before the first bit of gossip is passed on.
All compulsive issues are related. Stop. Keep to the right path before stepping onto the wrong one and turning back from it is too difficult. It would help when temptation nears to talk to yourself - out loud: “This is a good thing to do, this other thing is harmful for me.” Proverbs 5:8 says, “Remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house:” Step 1: "remove your way" (don’t take that path) because step 2, being "near the door of her house", makes staying away harder to achieve.
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
REST AND LENGTH OF DAYS
(Proverbs 3)
Things that lead to rest and peace:
(V1,2) Remembering the law and keeping the commandments.
(V17) Paths of wisdom.
(V24) Keeping soundly wisdom and discretion.
Things that lead to length of days:
(V1, 2) Remembering the law and keeping commandments.
(V16) Finding and getting wisdom.
Length of days in the right hand, riches and honor in the left. If the right hand is the power of something, the part that is immediately available; then the left hand may be the part that is deferred, the part that does not come immediately but later, the result of keeping the commandments, sound wisdom and discretion.
If this is so, a person that applies wisdom can expect to add days to his life while riches and honor may follow later. Yet we seek first for riches and honor - and hope that wisdom will result. We have the process reversed. What happens if it actually works out this way? Will we be like the barn builder of Luke 12:16-21: the one who tore down his barns to build bigger ones? The one whose heart was not rich toward God. He did not live to enjoy his wealth.
The one who treasures first the knowledge of God and his laws and directions, has the pleasure and reward of living in them now, whether he be poor or rich. In fact, what is in his bank account really does not matter. No bank account or houses or lands can provide eternal contentment.
Things that lead to rest and peace:
(V1,2) Remembering the law and keeping the commandments.
(V17) Paths of wisdom.
(V24) Keeping soundly wisdom and discretion.
Things that lead to length of days:
(V1, 2) Remembering the law and keeping commandments.
(V16) Finding and getting wisdom.
Length of days in the right hand, riches and honor in the left. If the right hand is the power of something, the part that is immediately available; then the left hand may be the part that is deferred, the part that does not come immediately but later, the result of keeping the commandments, sound wisdom and discretion.
If this is so, a person that applies wisdom can expect to add days to his life while riches and honor may follow later. Yet we seek first for riches and honor - and hope that wisdom will result. We have the process reversed. What happens if it actually works out this way? Will we be like the barn builder of Luke 12:16-21: the one who tore down his barns to build bigger ones? The one whose heart was not rich toward God. He did not live to enjoy his wealth.
The one who treasures first the knowledge of God and his laws and directions, has the pleasure and reward of living in them now, whether he be poor or rich. In fact, what is in his bank account really does not matter. No bank account or houses or lands can provide eternal contentment.
Monday, March 11, 2019
GRIP ON WISDOM
(Proverbs 4)
(Vs 1-18, 18, 20-27) Proverbs four is re-emphasizing the need to take hold on wisdom and understanding. “How many times can I say this?” “Let me say this again.” It is so important to keep an open mind, a listening ear and an observant eye. We must “take fast hold on instruction for she is thy life”. If we are not learning, we are not growing, we are not living (V18). “. . . the path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day”.
Instruction is our life: observing God’s sayings as he speaks through the Scriptures, through our spirits - through other men.
I wonder if older people who are sharp are those that say, “now what am I going to learn from this?” We must always be active in listening, reading, hearing, learning from God.
(Vs 1-18, 18, 20-27) Proverbs four is re-emphasizing the need to take hold on wisdom and understanding. “How many times can I say this?” “Let me say this again.” It is so important to keep an open mind, a listening ear and an observant eye. We must “take fast hold on instruction for she is thy life”. If we are not learning, we are not growing, we are not living (V18). “. . . the path of the just is as a shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day”.
Instruction is our life: observing God’s sayings as he speaks through the Scriptures, through our spirits - through other men.
I wonder if older people who are sharp are those that say, “now what am I going to learn from this?” We must always be active in listening, reading, hearing, learning from God.
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
SELF-CONTROL
Proverbs 30:9 “Lest I be full, and deny thee, and say, Who is the LORD? or lest I be poor, and steal, and take the name of my God in vain.” Consider the phrases: “Lest I be full . . . and deny; lest I be poor . . . and steal” Both of these conditions allow a man to overlook and go around God’s control in their life. The rich man does not have to wait on God because he can get what he wants now. The poor does not want to wait because he is under pressure and jumps to feed his belly rather than waiting for God. The rich, by his actions, says, “Who is God? I can do this for myself. I can make this come out my way.” The poor says, “God will not act for me. I must act.” Both are imposing their control on the situation. Neither waits for God.
(Verse 8) "Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me . . ." By having the blessing of verse 8, truth and convenient provision, we can appropriate the opportunity of exercising self-control. I pray, “God, put me in situations where I will not fail at self-control. Fill me with your Spirit, one of the fruits of which is self-control.”
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(Verse 8) "Remove far from me vanity and lies: give me neither poverty nor riches; feed me with food convenient for me . . ." By having the blessing of verse 8, truth and convenient provision, we can appropriate the opportunity of exercising self-control. I pray, “God, put me in situations where I will not fail at self-control. Fill me with your Spirit, one of the fruits of which is self-control.”
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Thursday, February 28, 2019
WHEN IT’S WRONG TO REJOICE
"When righteous men do rejoice there is great glory, but when the wicked rise a man is hidden." There is much openness and freedom when the righteous rejoice. There is no fear of anyone retaliating at them for celebrating, there are no double meanings in the air. Everyone is happy together.
When the wicked are empowered there is no openness or freedom. There is fear of reprisal if there is a perception of “unacceptable” (read “politically incorrect”) thoughts or actions during celebration. Indeed, the truly wrong thing, such as abortion, may be the thing celebrated. Who knows what the wicked really mean? Only the wicked are happy. One might say, "I will hide because I will not celebrate this thing. The wrong people are in power they may be seeking to hurt the righteous."
Psalm 28:5 "because they regard not the works of the lord nor the operation of his hands . . ."
This is an indictment of our land today. Many do not think the Lord exists or that what happens around them might be the work of his hands.
A person must continually adjust his thinking throughout life so that he thinks, "I am of the Lord, this has happened because of the Lord, I will do this as unto the Lord." Religion needs to be a consuming thing not a casual thing, a comfort thing, an intellectual thing or a safety tool, like a car jack.
When the wicked are empowered there is no openness or freedom. There is fear of reprisal if there is a perception of “unacceptable” (read “politically incorrect”) thoughts or actions during celebration. Indeed, the truly wrong thing, such as abortion, may be the thing celebrated. Who knows what the wicked really mean? Only the wicked are happy. One might say, "I will hide because I will not celebrate this thing. The wrong people are in power they may be seeking to hurt the righteous."
Psalm 28:5 "because they regard not the works of the lord nor the operation of his hands . . ."
This is an indictment of our land today. Many do not think the Lord exists or that what happens around them might be the work of his hands.
A person must continually adjust his thinking throughout life so that he thinks, "I am of the Lord, this has happened because of the Lord, I will do this as unto the Lord." Religion needs to be a consuming thing not a casual thing, a comfort thing, an intellectual thing or a safety tool, like a car jack.
Thursday, February 21, 2019
THE POWERFUL VOICE
(Psalm 29) . The voice of the lord is upon many waters. I’ve wondered if the waters equal the general world population. The voice of the lord is upon them. He thunders, his voice is loud and booming.
The voice of the lord breaks the cedars. If trees represent the structure of a national government: trunk and branches. The voice of the lord breaks them. The force for keeping the tree (government) from being broken does not come from within the tree. The power to keep all things entire comes from God.
The voice of the lord divides the fire. His communication is so clear that even ethereal changing subjects, like fire, can be expressed by him, and understood so that he can even separate, package, one tongue of fire from another.
(V8) The voice of the lord shakes the wilderness. No matter where anyone is, the voice of the lord shakes the remotest places.
(V9) The voice of the lord makes cows to give birth. His power and control is directly over even things we do not think of, like the conception, birth and preservation of cows.
The voice of the Lord gives glory, strength, worship; it is powerful, it has majesty; it breaks, skips, divides, shakes, births. He has all power forever. With all these things god gives strength to his people and controls his enemies.
The voice of the lord breaks the cedars. If trees represent the structure of a national government: trunk and branches. The voice of the lord breaks them. The force for keeping the tree (government) from being broken does not come from within the tree. The power to keep all things entire comes from God.
The voice of the lord divides the fire. His communication is so clear that even ethereal changing subjects, like fire, can be expressed by him, and understood so that he can even separate, package, one tongue of fire from another.
(V8) The voice of the lord shakes the wilderness. No matter where anyone is, the voice of the lord shakes the remotest places.
(V9) The voice of the lord makes cows to give birth. His power and control is directly over even things we do not think of, like the conception, birth and preservation of cows.
The voice of the Lord gives glory, strength, worship; it is powerful, it has majesty; it breaks, skips, divides, shakes, births. He has all power forever. With all these things god gives strength to his people and controls his enemies.
Monday, February 18, 2019
A BAD SCALE
"A false balance is abomination to the Lord". This shows that items in this life of flesh offend the Lord. Imagine he were walking in a market and saw a scale that was made to show false weights, weights heavier than actual. You and I would not know the scales read false, but the Lord would know. This very scale, and the one who uses it, is abomination to him. I would not like to stand next to that scale in a lightning storm. With every false ounce shown it thrusts the one using it further from God. The lying scale here will make the sin of adultery over there easy to do. The scale cheats money. The adultery will end the marriage, destroy the family, and scatter the possessions the false scale was meant to acquire.
The Lord finds the scale offensive. It was rude and inconsiderate to have it before him (not to mention degrading and dangerous.)
The wise the just scale is the Lord’s delight, it gives him pleasure. He is pleased when he walks by and sees it. It’s easy to please the Lord. Don’t stand close to a bad scale.
The Lord finds the scale offensive. It was rude and inconsiderate to have it before him (not to mention degrading and dangerous.)
The wise the just scale is the Lord’s delight, it gives him pleasure. He is pleased when he walks by and sees it. It’s easy to please the Lord. Don’t stand close to a bad scale.
Thursday, February 14, 2019
SHE LIES
Proverbs 7:19,20 . When the strange woman says, “The good man is gone a long journey and will not be back until the appointed time.” she is lying. He is in the house watching right then. God is never departed from us; his Holy Spirit is ever with us. We are compassed by a cloud of witnesses. When we do something sinful we are being watched. Our sin nature may like to think the "good man" has departed, but it is the deceitful flesh (the foolish woman) lying to us. When she says it is OK to watch the TV program with pornography in it, we must realize God is in the room watching us watch it. This is the battleground of the flesh. We must overcome our flesh that so easily deceives us. We naturally want to sin; it is hard to resist sin, to do wholesome things. The struggle is now, at this time.
We must realize the battle is not so hard to win. “Hearken unto me now, LET NOT thine heart DECLINE to her ways, go not astray in her paths.” "Decline" is a good word to describe the process.
Proverbs 5:8 says "remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house" . “Remove” is the important word. Once we are near the door of her house (the foolish or whorish woman’s house) we are closer to it and are more tempted to go in than if we had never entered her neighborhood. Keep away from the neighborhood and you will not be near the door. It’s far easier to choose the right path at the beginning of the journey than to change it once embarked.
We must realize the battle is not so hard to win. “Hearken unto me now, LET NOT thine heart DECLINE to her ways, go not astray in her paths.” "Decline" is a good word to describe the process.
Proverbs 5:8 says "remove thy way far from her, and come not nigh the door of her house" . “Remove” is the important word. Once we are near the door of her house (the foolish or whorish woman’s house) we are closer to it and are more tempted to go in than if we had never entered her neighborhood. Keep away from the neighborhood and you will not be near the door. It’s far easier to choose the right path at the beginning of the journey than to change it once embarked.
Monday, February 11, 2019
UP THE MOUNTAIN
Psalm 121: "I will lift up mine eyes unto the Hills from whence cometh my help . . ."
When we look up the mountainside, we know our destination will require work to get there. We will have to climb up the hill, we will have to follow a path, there will be boulders in the way. It will take time. But remember, our help comes from the destination we want to get closer to. The source of all our help is coming from that place.
He is helping us on the way along the path. He will not suffer our foot to be moved: so one can push us away from the path, although we could willfully step in a different direction. It says the Lord is our shade from the sun, and maybe God will control the outward circumstances and events along the path.
Yet it is still for us to climb the trail, to sweat, to persist against difficulty
When we look up the mountainside, we know our destination will require work to get there. We will have to climb up the hill, we will have to follow a path, there will be boulders in the way. It will take time. But remember, our help comes from the destination we want to get closer to. The source of all our help is coming from that place.
He is helping us on the way along the path. He will not suffer our foot to be moved: so one can push us away from the path, although we could willfully step in a different direction. It says the Lord is our shade from the sun, and maybe God will control the outward circumstances and events along the path.
Yet it is still for us to climb the trail, to sweat, to persist against difficulty
Wednesday, February 6, 2019
CONTRASTING VIEWS
RIGHTEOUSNESS VS WICKEDNESS
PROVERBS 11
PROVERBS 11
RIGHTEOUSNESS (R) as opposed to WICKEDNESS (W)
================================================
(R) Leads to Integrity and is a guide
(W) Leads to perverseness and destroys
(R) Leads to health
(W) Riches prophet not
(R) Directs way
(W) Leads to a fall
(R) Gives deliverance
(W) Taken in naughtiness
(R) Delivered out of trouble
(W) Delivered into trouble
(R) Has a sure reward
(W) Works deceitful work
(R) Tends to life
(W) Pursues evil to own death
(R) Delivered
(W) Will not be unpunished
(R) Desires good
(W) Expects wrath
(R) Procures favor
(W) Seeks mischief
(R) Flourish as a branch
(W) His trusted riches fall
(R) Recompensed and earth
(W) Recompensed in earth more
When the wicked parish, as in the Mafia is killing each other, the city shouts because of the confusion, danger, and lawlessness.
When it goes well with the righteous, there is peace and prosperity so there can be times of rejoicing. When the upright bless the city, it is exalted. The upright with his mouth is making a proclamation of good.
But the works of the wicked can overthrow the city.
In other words, words are very powerful.
Monday, February 4, 2019
DELIGHTING
God delights in the prayer of the upright (Prov 15:8); he loves to hear it. Does this also mean he loves to answer it? The Lord hears the prayer of the righteous. Some prayers, however, he will not hear. For example, he is far from the wicked so he will not respond to their prayers. He will not answer some prayers right away because it is best answered at another time. Some prayers of the righteous are about good things, but these things may not be suitable for the person asking them. Maybe the prayers are for or about things that are reserved for other people. Maybe the person is asking for something they do not realize is not good for them.
We often put God in our shoes, we assume God is driven by the same emotions we have. We delight in something that is pleasant. Perhaps we push away some pleasant thing because some other thing is even more pleasant. Delighting is something we want to do. Does the Lord also want to delight? Does he long for it as we might? Does he stop some other things so that he can “take some time out” to delight? Does God get so crowded with pending tasks that delighting would mean that some other important thing would not get done?
“I love you Lord,
and I lift my voice
to worship you:
oh, my soul, rejoice!
Take joy, my king,
in what you hear.
Let it be a sweet, sweet sound in your ear.”
We sing this song, but what do we mean by it? Are we wishing for God to have a pleasant time, or are we just asking for his attention? Is what we want is more important than what he wants? Is this a wish from us for his well-being, or is it a request for our own sakes so that he will have favor on us?
Thursday, January 31, 2019
STANDARDS
The Bible says Justice and judgment are more acceptable than sacrifice. But you cannot have them without standards. For anyone to be able to do justice or judgment they must know the standards. There is no justice if there is no one correct standard because any way is as good as another. If no one thing is correct (right, truth) then all things are of relative value. When one way is the right way, the others are not right, or at least not as good as the right way.
The one who does justice makes sure the right way is done. There is no judgment if there is no one correct way to decide. Judgment chooses between two ways. The one who does justice and judgment knows God's ways and selects them.
We do not sacrifice animals today as they used to because Jesus is our sacrifice. The things we view as sacrifice these days are offerings or dedications or prayers. The one who is offering the sacrifices maybe doing the right outward thing with money or promises or prayers, but his heart may not know, or may not choose, the proper standards. The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: because he is bringing it with a deceived or a wicked mind. His sacrifice is a payoff, or show, it is not a genuine offering. He is seeking a way around the standard.
The only way to know the standards I know of is to read the Bible.
The one who does justice makes sure the right way is done. There is no judgment if there is no one correct way to decide. Judgment chooses between two ways. The one who does justice and judgment knows God's ways and selects them.
We do not sacrifice animals today as they used to because Jesus is our sacrifice. The things we view as sacrifice these days are offerings or dedications or prayers. The one who is offering the sacrifices maybe doing the right outward thing with money or promises or prayers, but his heart may not know, or may not choose, the proper standards. The sacrifice of the wicked is abomination: because he is bringing it with a deceived or a wicked mind. His sacrifice is a payoff, or show, it is not a genuine offering. He is seeking a way around the standard.
The only way to know the standards I know of is to read the Bible.
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